Planning for my Day Surgery
Disclaimer: This is general information developed by the University of Alberta Hospital. It is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified health-care provider. Please consult your health-care provider who will be able to determine the appropriateness of the information for your specific situation.
Printable copy
Finding out the Time of your Surgery
Please call the Booking Office between 1 -2 pm the day before your surgery.
Booking Office (780) 407-6803
Coming for Surgery
On arrival time go directly to the Adult Day Surgery/Same Day Admission Unit Reception Desk on Unit 5G3 which is on the 5th floor (click for map).
Adult Day Surgery/Same Day Admission Unit (5G3) is open Monday to Friday at 5:30 am.
Adult Day Surgery Unit, University of Alberta Hospital
Welcome to the University of Alberta Hospital. We understand that surgery is a stressful time for you and your family and we hope to give you information that will help you prepare for your surgery.
The Adult Day Surgery Unit staff care for patients who need surgery but who do not have to stay overnight in the hospital. This booklet will give you some information about preparing for surgery, and your health-care team will give you more specific information. This booklet provides you with a checklist to remind you of the important things to do before your surgery.
It is possible that your surgery may need to be postponed because of emergencies or unexpected delays in the Operating Room. We will let you know if this happens to you.
Remember- Call your surgeon if you are sick with a cold, flu, fever or other illness.
- If you are on blood thinners (anticoagulants, antiplatelets) or aspirin, remember to tell your surgeon because these medications sometimes need to be adjusted one week before your surgery.
- You must make arrangements for a responsible adult to take you home. You must also have someone stay with you overnight. Your surgery will be cancelled if you do not have a responsible adult to take you home even if you are taking a taxi.
- If you live more than 100 km from the hospital, it is strongly recommended that you make arrangements to remain in Edmonton overnight (after surgery) with a responsible adult. If this applies to you, information on low cost overnight accommodations close to the hospital is available at: (780) 407-6593
- If you need a medical certificate or insurance form completed: Contact your surgeon's office.
- If pregnancy is possible it is very important to let the staff and surgeon know, so we can do a pregnancy test.
- Patients who smoke are more at risk of serious heart and lung problems during and after surgery. Smokers also have a higher chance of incision infections and may need to stay in hospital longer. This is why it is important that you try to quit smoking for as long as possible before your surgery. At a minimum, you must not smoke on the day of your surgery. You will not be allowed to smoke in the hospital. Many people use this as a chance to stop smoking. We have many options and supports available to help you quit smoking before your surgery.
Checklist: The Evening before your Surgery
Take a shower or bath using regular soap and wash your hair.
Do not use scented products. (If you prefer, you can shower in the morning.) It is important to be clean before your surgery.
You will be given instructions on eating and drinking when you telephone the Pre Admission Clinic for your arrival time.
Follow instructions carefully or your surgery may be delayed or even cancelled. This is for your safety, to prevent aspiration (food in your lungs). Aspiration is life-threatening
Eat as you always do the day before surgery. Your last food before surgery should be a low fat snack. Don't eat meats, eggs, fried foods, peanut butter or nut butters.
Stop eating 8 hours before surgery! (unless you have done a bowel preparation)
Eat Snack A OR Snack B - not both
Snack A
- 1 small piece of fruit
- and 1 cup cereal (Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies®)
- and ½ cup skim, 1% or 2% milk
OR
Snack B
- 1 small piece of fruit
- and ½ cup yoghurt (2% fat or less)
- and 1 slice of toast with jam (no butter, no margarine, no peanut butter or nut butters)
You must stop eating 8 hours before surgery!
It is important to drink enough fluids with carbohydrate ( sugar) to prepare your body for surgery.
The evening before surgery:
The morning of surgery:
- Drink 3 cups of apple juice or cranberry cocktail (not diet or low calorie)
Until 3 hours before surgery you can also drink the clear fluids below:
- Drink 2 cups of apple juice or cranberry cocktail (not diet or low calorie)
- Water
- Black tea (no milk or cream)
- Black coffee ( no milk or cream)
Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours before surgery
You must stop drinking 3 hours before surgery!
Some patients may be given special instructions. Make a note of any special instructions you are given.
Medication Instructions
Take your usual medications on the morning of surgery (take with a sip of water), unless directed by your surgeon or anesthetist not to.
Bring all prescribed medications with you to the hospital including:
- Inhalers (for asthma)
- Nitro spray (for chest pain)
- Insulin (do NOT take the morning of surgery)
- Pills for diabetes (do NOT take the morning of surgery)
On the morning of surgery DO
- Take a shower or bath using regular soap and wash your hair. (If you did not do last night). Do not use scented products. You may use deodorant unless told otherwise.
- Brush your teeth but do not swallow.
- Remove all make-up, nail polish, all body piercing and jewellery.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
- Bring the telephone number (or cell phone number) of the adult who will take you home after your procedure. We will contact that person 30 to 60 minutes before you are ready to leave.
On the morning of surgery DO NOT
- Do NOT wear perfume, lotions, aftershave, or use hair products.
- Do NOT bring money, valuables (including phones, iPods, laptops, etc.), watches, jewellery (including wedding bands) or keys to the hospital.
- Do NOT bring contact lenses to the hospital
The University of Alberta Hospital will not be responsible for lost or stolen articles or belongings brought to the hospital. Patients who bring any valuables do so at their own risk.
If you have sleep apnea and use a machine at night, bring it to the hospital.
- If you have sleep apnea and use a machine at night, bring it to the hospital.
- If your surgeon has ordered crutches, canes, splints or any other devices, have them available to be bought to the hospital following your surgery
- You may wear your Medic Alert bracelet, dentures, glasses, hearing aids and other such aids to the hospital. Bring labeled containers for these items because you will need to remove them for surgery.
- Label all your belongings and bring a bag or backpack for them.
You must arrive on time or your surgery may be cancelled. Your arrival time is NOT the time of your surgery.
Day of surgery: At the hospitalAdult Day Surgery Unit
- Only 2 people can accompany you on the day of surgery. The responsible adult who brings you to and from the hospital must be accessible while you are here. The doctor may need to speak with them and they need to be here to take you home in a timely manner. We will call that person when you are ready to go home.
- Please be respectful in your use of cell phones within the hospital and especially when in patient care areas. Use your phone for essential calls only.
- Maps with directions to pick-up a patient from the Surgical Day Care Unit at the end of this booklet. Please give to the person who will be picking you up.
- In order to allow plenty of time for your preparation for surgery you may wait 2 to 3 hours after arriving at the hospital before your surgery will start. You may want to bring something to read.
- You will change into a hospital gown and we will prepare
you for surgery.Operating Room
- No visitors are allowed in the operating room (Surgical Suite) area.
- You may be brought to the operating room area by stretcher, some patients may walk.
- You may wait in the preoperative holding area a few minutes and the nurse and the anesthetist will come to speak with you.
After Surgery (PARR and ADS)
- After surgery you will usually recover in the Post-Anesthetic Recovery Room (PARR) before you go to the Adult Day Surgery Unit (ADS).
- No visitors are allowed in the PARR.
- The nurse will frequently check your pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level, breathing, site of your operation and provide pain control.
- Tell your nurse if you have pain, nausea and/or vomiting, itchiness or difficulty urinating.
- Practice your deep breathing by taking a deep breath in through your nose and blow out through your mouth.
- Depending on your condition, you may be given something light to eat or drink before you go home.
- Each person recovers from surgery and anesthetic differently. Your doctor and nurse will decide when you are ready and able to go home.
An anesthetic is a drug that affects you for 24 hours after surgery. You may feel weak, dizzy or slightly nauseated.
For at least 24 hours following your anesthetic, do NOT:
- Drive. It is against the law (You are considered legally impaired).
- Do tasks requiring skill, coordination or judgment.
- Make any binding legal decisions.
- Drink alcohol, it is unsafe.
- Take any medication such as sedatives or tranquilizers unless prescribed by your physician.
- Take illegal "street" drugs.
Follow ALL instructions given to you from your doctor and nurse.
Pain control
- Pain is personal. The amount of pain you feel may not be the same as others feel, even if you have had the same surgery.
- Your pain should be controlled enough that you can rest comfortably. The pain should not stop you from deep breathing or coughing, getting out of bed or walking.
- Take the pain medication as prescribed by your surgeon to be sure you can do these things.
- Pain medication can cause constipation. Drink plenty of water and eat foods high in fibre.
- Your prescriptions can be filled at the hospital drugstore or your local pharmacy.
Regular medications
- If you are taking any regular medication, please ask your surgeon if you should continue to take it after your surgery.
Follow-up
- If you have not been given a follow-up appointment with your surgeon before leaving the hospital, please contact your surgeon's office to schedule an appointment.
- A nurse may phone you on the next working day following your surgery to check your progress and answer any questions.
- If you have any urgent concerns please contact your surgeon's office or go to the nearest Emergency Department.
Other Important Information (parking, maps and links)
We hope this information has been helpful to you.